HOMEGROWN ROCKER 1/17/16 (JACK PYERS)

[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the January 17 edition of 105.9 Qwik-Rock's weekly local music program, "The Homegrown Rocker," which airs every Sunday night from 8 to 10 PM on Lion Country's Rock Station, 105.9 Qwik-Rock. The show can also be streamed via Qwik's website, www.1059qwikrock.com.

Thanks to our guest this week, former Dirty Looks bassist and Harpo guitarist Jack Pyers, for a fun and insightful discussion! We explored Jack's current musical endeavors as an acoustic singer/songwriter, and heard tracks from Jack's first acoustic solo album, No Road Home. We also touched on Jack's past with Dirty Looks and Harpo, and broke out a 1987 song by Harpo and a live Dirty Looks number from the archive for two "Local Music Flashbacks" this week! In addition, we introduced new songs by The Hawkeyes and The Long Nights, updated "Local Music News," and reviewed Sterling Koch's Rock Slide CD in "The Professor's CD Corner!"

Here is this week's playlist:

HOUR ONE:

MY HERO ZERO - "Make Some Noise"
MIXING NUMBERS WITH SOUNDS - "Wally"
JACK PYERS - "Cowboy Song"
THE HAWKEYES - "Ghost"
JACK PYERS - "It's Alright"
HARPO - "Gas House Alley Rock" (1987, Local Music Flashback)
JACK PYERS - "In This Dream"
BISCUIT JAM - "When I'm Gone"
THE LONG NIGHTS - "Family Tree"

HOUR TWO:

THE SITCH - "Hillbilly Psycho"
STRAIT & MILLER - "Steal My Soul"
JACK PYERS - "Still Be Mine"
STERLING KOCH - "Good to Go"
JACK PYERS - "Hold My Head"
DIRTY LOOKS - "Nobody Rides for Free" (live, Local Music Flashback)
JACK PYERS - "Anywhere You Are"
POST TRAUMATIK - "Set You Free"

On our next program, we will get back to our mailboxes and check out new recordings that have arrived in recent days - meaning we will debut lots of new songs, and provide maximum local and regional music! Along the way, we will update "Local Music News," dig a "Local Music Flashback" from the archive, and review Andy Mowatt's An End To The Means CD in "The Professor's CD Corner!"

Upcoming guests and specials include:

JANUARY 31 - Derek Woodz Band
FEBRUARY 7 - Ladies of Local Music Special
FEBRUARY 28 - Millennium Music Conference Recap
MARCH 6 - MMC Contest Winner (to be picked at Millennium Music Conference)
MARCH 13 - St. Patty's Day Special

(All dates are subject to changes as circumstances warrant.)

Bands and artists wanting to submit news items for "Local Music News" may email their news to homegrownrocker@gmail.com. Indicate "MUSIC NEWS" in the subject heading!

Bands and artists interested in having music aired on the show are invited to send their broadcast-quality recordings to: Magnum Broadcasting, 315 South Atherton Street, State College, PA 16801; ATTN: Jim Price/Homegrown. Or drop the recordings off at the station during regular business hours, Monday-Friday 9 AM – 5 PM. You can also email digital song files or inquiries about the show to homegrownrocker@gmail.com.

Jim Price

In Local Music News...

With Half Tempted taking a hiatus from stage action, drummer Shawn Gioiosa has taken over the drum helm in the group This Albatross, replacing Les Beatty after his departure from the group at the end of last year. Shawn's first appearance with This Albatross will take place January 30 at D'Ottavio's Gran Sasso in Hollidaysburg.

In a surprise announcement, Kevin Siegel announced that he is stepping down as drummer for Naildriver, citing medical issues that will prevent him from playing drums for the immediate future. Kevin will still handle Naildriver's communication, online and promotional activities. Naildriver has begun a search for Kevin's replacement behind the kit.

Ember's Fall has announced that drummer Joe Lowrie will be providing the beats for the group when they embark on their upcoming tour with It Is Written. Joe will be filling in for the group's full-time drummer, Josh Sheesley, who is unable to perform during "The War for Years Tour," which takes place from March 11 through April 2, and will include show dates in Maryland, West Virginia, South Carolina, Alabama, Arizona, Nevada, California and Colorado.

Pittsburgh-based rock group Chip DiMonick is taking an indefinite break following their performance at the recent Strip District Music Festival in Pittsburgh. Group namesake Chip DiMonick announced that he is putting th band on hold in order to devote time toward caring for his parents and family. He indicated that the break could be long, and perhaps permanent.

And the keynote speaker as been announced for next month's 20th annual Millennium Music Conference in Harrisburg. Producer and Grammy-nominated engineer David Ivory, whose credits include producing Patti Labelle and Erykah Badu plus discovering Halestorm, will speak during the conference, which takes place from February 18 through 20 at the Best Western Premier - The Central Hotel and Conference Center in Harrisburg. For more details about the conference, visit the website www.musicconference.net.